Overview
- Canada’s coaches and leaders say the 19-year-old will be asked to play a major role after making the NHL-era roster as the program’s first teenage selection.
- In opening practices at Santagiulia Arena, he skated with Connor McDavid and Tom Wilson and took reps on the second power-play unit with Bo Horvat, Mitch Marner, Mark Stone and Shea Theodore.
- Celebrini arrived following a breakout season with San Jose, ranking fourth in NHL scoring at the break with 81 points and tying Nathan MacKinnon for third in assists.
- Canada begins Group A play against Czechia on Thursday before meetings with Switzerland on Friday and France on Sunday.
- Interest spans beyond hockey as Warriors coach Steve Kerr — whose staff includes Celebrini’s father, Rick — lauded the teenager’s rise and said he tracks his progress daily.